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38
BRYNN
Brynn sipped her hot tea, reclining on the plush chair. The soft bathrobe around her was smooth as butter on her oiled-up skin. Her muscles were more relaxed than she’d thought possible after an extensive massage. Quiet flute music filtered into the rectangular room lined with pedicure chairs. Dani sat in one to her left and Iris on her right.
“There is nothing like a good spa day to reset, is there, dear?” Iris asked, taking a drink of her own herbal tea.
“This is my first time, and I have to say, I would agree.” This experience was over the top, once in a lifetime. It was too much, not that Aaron would agree.
“I think I’ll do a classic red for the holidays. What do you think, ladies?” Iris asked as the nail tech at her feet offered her an array of colors.
“Oh, me too.” Agreed Dani. “Let’s all match, Mom.”
Brynn eyed the bold colors. The instinct to avoid things that made her stand out was strong. But today was her birthday, and it was time she did something because she wanted to. “Sounds good to me.”
The nail tech pulled one of her feet from the water, drying it off before applying a foot scrub. As she worked, Brynn sipped her tea.
Iris leaned a little closer while Dani chatted with the woman working on her toes. “Thank you for letting me come along. I know my visit was unexpected and not so desired.”
Brynn turned to her mother-in-law. “I’m happy you came, truly. And I know you being here means a lot to Aaron.”
Iris’s eyes crinkled at the edges. “Would you mind sharing a little with me about how you knew Danielle was . . . trans, is that the right word?”
Brynn nodded. “Yes. She’s always been interested in things that are stereotypically feminine.” It’s why we had to leave the compound. “When we arrived here, it was the first time she could explore those interests. We discovered Hope Facility through a friend and Dani just, blossomed. I can’t believe I hadn’t seen how much of herself she’d been hiding before. It took a little while, but she actually told Aaron, and then me.”
“She told my son first?” Iris’s eyebrows rose.
“She trusts him. All the kids do. He’s really an amazing person. He’d do anything for those teens, and eventually they figure that out.”
Iris’s smile was bittersweet. “I wish I could say I had some part in that, but he did all that on his own.”
Brynn reached out, laying her hand on Iris’s arm. “I think you taught him more than you realize. The fact that you’re here proves how much you love him. And I understand what it’s like to be a mother who made mistakes I’ll regret for the rest of my life. The important thing is we work hard to make those changes and become the best version of ourselves we can be for our children.”
Iris’s eyes had a sheen to them. Her head tipped to the side, as if seeing Brynn in a new light. “I appreciate you saying that, sweetheart.”
Brynn nodded and faced forward, taking a drink of her tea as the tech moved on to painting her toenails.
“So, tell me, what do you want for Christmas, Danielle?” Iris asked.
Dani perked up. “Makeup, clothes, or some new art supplies.”
Iris chuckled. “You’ve already thought about this, haven’t you?”
“Yes. Usually Betty-Lou and Fred get me books, so I know they’ll get me the new series I really want.”
Iris’s brows drew together. “They were at the wedding, weren’t they?”
“Yes. They own the High Tide diner in town,” Brynn said.
“Friendly couple. Are they family?”
“They are now.”
“This is going to be the best Christmas ever!” Dani beamed.
“Are there any specific traditions you celebrate with your family?” Iris asked.
Brynn’s stomach flipped.
